Ancient Near Eastern Philology and Near Eastern Archaeology (Master)

The master’s programme in Ancient Near Eastern Philology and Near Eastern Archaeology aims at preparing students for independent academic work on problems relating to the investigation of ancient near Eastern cultures on the basis of primary sources. It aims at increasing previous language proficiency in Akkadian and Sumerian and familiarising students with the archaeological methodology and artefacts of the ancient Near East. By completing seminars, students gain an overview of the entire discipline and current research questions. In alternative compulsory modules, students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of languages by learning an additional Semitic language, or expand their archaeological competences.

Study Programme

The master’s programme consists of compulsory modules, an alternative compulsory module and a group of elective modules, dealing with the following subjects: seminars on Akkadian, Sumerian and archaeology, Mesopotamian cultural history, philology, Semitic studies or archaeology, seminar on archaeology II, philology II, South Arabia in the past and present and ancient South Arabia. In addition, students have to complete a master’s module, comprising a seminar, a master’s thesis and a master’s examination.